Will County has always been the place where Illinois gets things done. This County is the crossroads of rail, road, and river; the hub where goods move, businesses grow, and families put down roots. From Joliet to Crete to Manhattan, folks here understand that progress doesn’t happen by accident; you plan for it, you work for it, and you make sure the benefits stay close to home.

But as warehouses, data centers, manufacturers, and fast-growing communities continue to expand, so does the need for reliable, affordable electricity is growing too. The trucks rolling down I-80, the logistics centers powering Illinois’ supply chain, the homes popping up across the county… they all rely on steady energy. And if Will County wants to stay the economic backbone of Illinois, we have to make sure our local energy supply can keep up.

That’s where the Pride of the Prairie and Plum Valley Solar projects come in. These are Will County projects, built on Will County land, delivering Will County benefits. Together, they’ll generate enough clean, dependable electricity to power the equivalent of 160,000 homes, keeping the local grid strong and helping businesses big and small plan confidently for the future.

The economic ripple effects will be felt in every corner of the county. In their first year alone, the two projects are expected to generate about $5.8 million in new tax revenue – money that stays right here, supporting local schools, fire districts, police, parks, libraries, and municipalities. That’s funding for better classrooms, safer communities, and stronger infrastructure. Things families count on every day.

Local businesses will feel the boost as well. The crews building and maintaining these projects will eat in Will County restaurants, stay in local hotels, buy fuel from hometown suppliers, and depend on hardware stores and service shops throughout the area. Vendors and small businesses will have opportunities to participate and grow right alongside the projects. That’s the kind of steady, no-nonsense economic lift that keeps Will County thriving.

Earthrise Energy believes in being part of the community, not just in name, but in action. We’ve already invested over $1,000,000 in Will County through partnerships that support education, community health, conservation, and public safety. We helped bring a new shade structure to the Monee Reservoir so families can enjoy the outdoors more comfortably. Through our RISE program, we’re expanding technical education at Joliet Junior College, helping local students train for high-demand careers without leaving home. We built a brand new drone training workforce development program with Governors State University that will not cost students a dime.

We’ve supported land restoration in Manhattan, helped the Manhattan Fire Protection District purchase new gear, and partnered with ShareFest, HHH Ranch, BluePrint Agency, and the Northern Illinois Food Bank to help neighbors who need a hand. These are the kinds of investments that build up a community over time, quiet, steady, and rooted in the belief that everyone deserves a fair shot.

We also know that good development starts with listening. Throughout the planning process, we’ve sat down with residents, farmers, and local officials to hear their thoughts and make adjustments. Vegetative screening will help preserve views for neighbors and drivers. And at the end of the projects’ lifespans, every acre of leased farmland will be restored for agriculture, backed by a posted bond to guarantee decommissioning.

The Pride of the Prairie and Plum Valley Solar projects are about more than energy. They represent the kind of practical, forward-looking decision-making that has always set Will County apart. This is our community investing in its own future: reliable power, stronger schools, growing businesses, and a healthier local economy.

This is Will County doing what it does best: leading.

Talya Tavor is the Director of Community Engagement for Earthrise Energy.